Method and apparatus for making a phone call connection over the internet connection

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a method or Internet phone for automatically dialing up a phone call connection across an Internet connection. Initially the caller manually dials a recipient&#39;s telephone number, and once the telephone call connection is made, the caller party&#39;s Internet phone automatically starts a dialing routine which notifies the recipient party&#39;s Internet phone that a phone call connection over an Internet connection is desired. The dialing may be a differential ringing sequence or a single ringing interval. Upon the dialing routine being detected by the recipient party&#39;s Internet phone, the parties end the telephone connection and proceed to make separate connections to the Internet, including a connection to a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). The caller party and recipient party Internet phones submit their respective Internet protocol address and telephone numbers. The caller party additionally submits the recipient Internet phone&#39;s telephone number. Then the Internet connection for the intended phone call is automatically completed. Alternatively, the differential dialing routine can be performed by a knocking server on the Internet, and a directory server on the Internet can match callers and recipients by their respective telephone numbers. Additionally, the knocking server permits caller equipment to be without dialing capabilities as these are now at the knocking server.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part of Application Ser. No. 08/910,887,entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A PHONE CALL CONNECTION OVER ANINTERNET CONNECTION, filed Aug. 13, 1997.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to phone communications and more particularly toa method and apparatus for automatically setting up a phone callconnection over an Internet connection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, voice communication over the Internet works by using thecombination of networks that make up a user Internet connection ratherthan the telecommunications network provided by a local or long distancecompany. Instead of talking into a telephone, a user speaks into apersonal computer (PC) equipped with a microphone, speaker and a soundcard. On the Internet, the voice traffic is treated as just a particularkind of data. The voice traffic, converted into bit form, is transmittedas data packets under the existing Internet protocol suites, TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/IP), that facilitate the reliableexchange of data between computers over the Internet. The TCP programlayer divides the voice-based data file into one or more packets,numbers the packets, and then forwards the packets to the IP programlayer. The IP program layer handles the addressing of each data packetthat is transmitted from one computer to another on the Internet.Essentially, the TCP/IP protocol suites manage the assembly andreassembly of data into data packets that are transmitted and receivedacross the Internet.

Typical connection procedures across an Internet require configurationof computer hardware with a software routine which allows connectionwith an Internet service provider, and another software routine whichaccesses a server configured computer across the Internet viaestablished protocols. These Internet connection procedures, which haveevolved with computer to computer communications in mind, lack theautomated phone call connection procedures available with a telephonecall connection. To make a telephone call connection, a caller simplydials a telephone number of a recipient.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a method and apparatus forautomatically establishing a phone call over an Internet connection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for automatically establishing aphone call over an Internet connection. The method includes using adialing routine with a telephone call connection to notify of anintended phone call over an Internet connection by caller partycommunication equipment to recipient party communication equipment inresponse to a manual dialing of the telephone call connection at thecaller party communication equipment. Then each of the caller andrecipient party communication equipment automatically undertake to makean Internet connection and then a connection to a directory service onthe Internet. The caller party communication equipment automaticallyprovides its Internet protocol address and telephone number, and therecipient party communication equipment's telephone number. Therecipient party communication equipment automatically provides itsInternet protocol address and telephone number. Then the caller andrecipient party communication equipment automatically complete theInternet connection between themselves for the intended phone call.

In an alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided amethod for automatically establishing a phone call over an Internetconnection, wherein a caller party automatically dials a telephonenumber of a recipient party to establish a telephone phone callconnection. The caller party automatically initiates a dialing routineto notify the recipient party of an intended phone call connectionacross an Internet connection. The caller and recipient partiesautomatically end the telephone call connection in response to therecipient party detecting the dialing routine by the caller party. Thecaller and recipient parties each automatically undertake to make aseparate connection with an Internet service provider and then make aconnection to a directory service on the Internet. Each of the callerand recipient parties automatically provide their respective Internetprotocol address and telephone number, and the caller party submits therecipient party's telephone number. Each of the caller and recipientparty automatically complete the Internet connection for the intendedphone call connection.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided anInternet phone. The Internet phone includes memory means for storingexecutable programs including operating routines, Internet relatedprotocols, a dialing routine for selective automatic call dialing andcall detection across a telephone call connection to notify of anintended phone call over an Internet connection, and a connectionroutine for automatically establishing the Internet connection for theintended phone call between a selectively intended caller and recipientof the intended phone call. The connection routine is responsive to thedialing routine, and the dialing routine is responsive to a manualdialing of the telephone call connection. A processor means is coupledto the memory means for downloading and processing the executableprograms. A display means is coupled to the processor means forindicating when the Internet connection is established. A relay means,for selectively switching between an audio device and a telephoneswitching network, is responsive to the processor means. An audiointerface means is coupled between the relay means and the processormeans for selectively converting an audio signal from an audio deviceinto a digital signal for the processor means and converting a digitalsignal from the processor means into an audio signal for the audiodevice. The audio interface means is responsive to the processor means.A telephone network interface means is coupled between the processormeans and the relay means for selectively converting a digital signalfrom the processor means into an analog signal for transmission acrossthe telephone switching network, and converting an analog signalreceived from across the telephone switching network into a digitalsignal for the processor means. The telephone network interface means isresponsive to the processor means.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodfor establishing a phone call over an Internet connection, the methodcomprising the steps of: making an Internet connection by caller partycommunication equipment intending to establish a phone call connectionover the Internet connection with recipient party communicationequipment; providing by the caller party communication equipment, thecaller party communication equipment's Internet Protocol address andtelephone number and the recipient party communication equipment'stelephone number to a directory server and knocking server on theInternet connection; notifying automatically by the knocking server tothe recipient party communication equipment of an intended phone callconnection over the Internet connection, the notifying being a dialingroutine over a telephone call connection to the recipient partycommunication equipment; making an Internet connection by the recipientparty communication equipment in response to the recipient partycommunication equipment detecting the dialing routine by the knockingserver; providing automatically, by the recipient party communicationequipment, the recipient party communication equipment's Internetprotocol address and telephone number to the directory server; andcompleting automatically the Internet connection between the caller andrecipient party communication equipment for the intended phone call.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features of the present invention can be best understood byreference to the description in conjunction with the following drawingfigures, with like reference numerals indicating like components orsteps, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an Internet based phone systemconfiguration in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram detailing an Internet phone set-top box shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a manual Internet phone call setup for theInternet phone set-up box shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an automatic Internet phone call setup by adifferential automatic dial sequence in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an automatic Internet phone call setup by aphone book directory in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an Internet telephone network configurationemploying knock servers to recite automatic dialing to establish a phonecall over the Internet; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an Internet phone call setup employing theknocking server of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a block diagram of an Internet phonesystem configuration in accordance with the present invention. Onecaller or recipient party communication equipment end consists of anInternet phone 103 connected to an external phone 101 or amicrophone-speaker set 102 (i.e. audio device). The other recipient orcaller party communication equipment end includes an identical Internetphone 103 connected to an external phone 101 or microphone-speaker set102. The caller and recipient party communication equipment endscommunicate over an Internet connection 104. A caller party Internetphone 103 processes voice deliveries from the phone 101 ormicrophone-speaker 102 set into a data packet format suitable fortransmission over the Internet 104. The recipient party Internet phone103 processes the incoming data packet format into audio signalsreproducible as voice through the phone 101 or microphone-speaker set102. Full duplex communications are achieved by each Internet phone 103transmitting and receiving over the Internet 104 as well as convertingvoice to data packets or data packets to voice.

The Internet 104, over which the Internet phones 103 transmit andreceive, refers to a collection of networks and gateways interconnectingdissimilar networks that transfer information under the TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) suite of protocols.The TCP/IP is a two layer program that each Internet user uses totransmit or receive over the Internet 104. The TCP (Transmission ControlProtocol) manages the packaging of data into packets that get routed ondifferent paths across the Internet and reassembled at theirdestination. The IP (Internet Protocol) handles the address part of eachdata packet so that it is routed to the right destination.

Although the TCP and IP protocols are the most important, TCP/IP isreally a suite of protocols including SLIP (Serial Line InternetProtocol) and PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol). SLIP is used forcommunications between two machines that were previously configured forcommunication with each other. For example, an Internet Service Provider(ISP) may provide a user with a SLIP connection so that one ISP's servercan respond to the user's requests, pass them on to the Internet, andforward the user's requested Internet responses back to the user. A PPPconnection with an ISP is like the SLIP connection. However, PPP isusually preferred over SLIP because PPP can handle synchronous as wellas asynchronous communication. PPP can share a line with other users andhas error detection which SLIP lacks.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown a block diagram 200 detailing theInternet phone 103 discussed with respect to FIG. 1. The external phone101 is connected to a relay 201 which is operable in a normal mode andan Internet mode. In the normal mode, the external phone 101 becomesconnected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 214 and allowsthe user to make or receive local or long distance calls directlythrough the PSTN. In the Internet mode, the external phone 101 ormicrophone-speaker set 102 is connected to SLIC (Subscriber LoopInterface Circuitry) and used as an audio headset.

Coupled between the relay 201 and an Internet processor 206, is an audiointerface circuitry which includes the SLIC (Subscriber Loop InterfaceCircuitry) 203, and an audio range multiplexer and coder-decoder (AudioCodec) 204. The audio interface circuitry converts an audio signal fromthe phone 101 or microphone-speaker set 102 (i.e., audio device) into adigital format suitable to be processed by the Internet processor. Also,the audio interface circuitry converts a audio digital signal from theprocessor into an audio signal that is reproducible through the phone101 (or microphone-speaker set 102) as voice.

The SLIC 203 is an integrated circuit, widely used as an interface inthe telephone switching networks, that provides what is known as theBORSCHT functions in telephony (Battery Feed, Over-voltage Protection,Ringing, Signaling Coding, Hybrid and Test). The SLIC 203 converts2-wire circuit analog audio signals received from the audio device (i.e.phone 101) into 4-wire circuit analog audio signals. The SLIC 203 alsoconverts received 4-wire circuit analog audio signals back into 2-wirecircuit analog audio signals which are sent to the phone 101 (ormicrophone speaker set 102). Because phones 101 send and receive on a2-wire pair and the audio decoder-encoder 204 send and receive betweeneach other on 4-wire circuits, the SLIC 203 includes a so-called hybridnetwork. This hybrid network converts the 2-wire audio into separatesend and receive paths in a 4-wire line. The audio multiplexer 204converts the 4-wire circuit analog signal from the SLIC 203 ormicrophone-speaker set 102 into a signal which is encoded by the Codec204. The Codec 204 preferably uses a pulse code modulation (PCM)technique, which is a method of modulation in which signals are sampledand converted to digital words that are then transmitted serially. MostPCM systems use either 7- or 8-bit binary codes. There are, however,several standards for PCM coding: most common are μ-Law in North Americaand A-Law in Europe (both based on logarithmic conversion of thesignal). Also, the Codec and audio multiplexer 204 decode andde-multiplex, respectively, digital signals coming from the Internetprocessor 206, to provide an analog signal suitable for the SLIC 203 toprocess and send to the phone 101 or microphone-speaker set 102. Furtherconfiguration and function details of the SLIC 203 and Audio/Codec 204are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and need not bediscussed in greater detail herein.

Also coupled between the relay 201 and the Internet processor 206 istelephone network interface circuitry, which converts the digital audiofrom the Internet processor 206 into an analog format suitable fortransmission across the PSTN 214. The telephone network interfacecircuitry also converts an analog signal received from across the PSTN214 into a digital format suitable for the Internet processor 206. Thetelephone network interface circuitry includes a DAA (Data AccessArrangement) 202 and a Line Codec (Coder-Decoder) 205. The DAA 202 is auniversal 2 to 4 wire hybrid circuitry interface to the PSTN 214 thatprovides device surge protection, line impedance matching, call processdetection and 2-wire to 4-wire hybrid conversion. The Line Codec 204 isa high performance 16 bit linear audio range, analog-to-digital anddigital-to-analog converter (ADC and DAC). Further configuration andfunction details of the DAA 202 and Line Codec 205 are well known tothose of ordinary skill in the art and need not be discussed in greaterdetail herein.

The Internet processor 206 is a high performance Digital SignalProcessing (DSP) chip operable to process executable programs such asmodem (Modulation-Demodulation) algorithms including V.80 and V.34+,speech related algorithms including G.723.1 and G.729, and acoustic echocancellation algorithms.

Modem algorithms enable communications over a standard telephone networkline in the PSTN by converting digital signals to analog and vice versa.Modem standards are set by the International Telecommunication Union(ITU) and assure compatibility between users transmitting and usersreceiving, and vice versa. The V.34+standard is an ITU recommendedstandard for transmission rates up to 33,600 baud. The V.80 standard isan ITU recommended standard, which provides for in-band signaling andsynchronous data modes that enable users to exchange not only voice anddata, but also video, over a single analog phone line. The three mainfunctions of a modem under the V.80 standard are: synchronous datastream run on asynchronous modem connections, rate adjustments based online conditions, communications of lost data packets to help keep realtime audio and video flowing to both sides of a communication loop.

Speech related algorithms provide speech coding and decoding tofacilitate transmissions over the analog based telephone lines of thePSTN. The speech algorithm standard G.7231, an ITU recommended standard,is a dual rate speech coder for multi-media communications transmittingat 5.3 and 6.3 kilobits per second. The ITU recommended G.729 standardis a speech coding and decoding standard that provides 4 kHZ speech bandwidth at a bit rate of 8 Kilobits per second. The standard specifies aCode Excited Linear Predictive (CELP) coder that uses an algebraiccode-book to code the excitation signal. The codes operate on speechframes of 10 sec (80 samples at an 8 kHZ sample rate), completes thelong-term predictor coefficients, and operates in ananalysis-by-synthesis loop to find the excitation vector that minimizesthe perceptually weighted error signal.

The Internet Processor 206 is bidirectionally coupled to a hostprocessor 207 with on-board memory 208. The on-board memory ispreferably EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory),but other nonvolatile memory types may be used. On top of the operatingsystem, the targeted executable routines or programs for the hostprocessor 207 are the Internet related functions such as TCP, IP, PPP,etc. Upon the Internet phone 103 being powered on, the host processor207 downloads, from memory 208, all the necessary host processorexecutable routines to its instruction and data memory space. The hostprocessor 207 also downloads and transfers the Internet processor's 206executable routines from the memory 208 to the Internet processor's 206on-chip instruction and data memory space. After the system executesdiagnostic and initialization routines, the Internet phone 103 isoperator ready. It is to be noted that different processor and memoryconfigurations are possible for carrying out the above detailedfunctions. For example a single processor with parallel processingcapabilities can be used to process all the executable programs androutines processed by the Internet processor 206 and host processor 207.

The host processor 207 drives an LCD 210 (Liquid Crystal Display) whichis an ASCII character display. The LCD 210 displays the mode ofoperation, (normal or Internet), call ID status of the call progress,and other information pertaining to the operations of the Internet phone103. The host processor also drives a total of six (6) LED (LiquidEmitting Diode) indicators: power Internet On-Line, call progress,transmit audio, receive audio, and system diagnostic check. The powerindicator, when lit, notifies if the power supply unit 213 in theInternet phone 103 has been activated. The Internet On-Line indicates ifthe Internet phone 103 is connected to the Internet 104. Call progressindicates if calling procedures are being undertaken. Transmit audio,when blinking, indicates that the Internet phone 103 is transmittingaudio to a remote Internet phone 103. Receive audio, when blinking,indicates that the Internet phone 103 is receiving audio from a remoteInternet phone 103. When the system diagnostic check is lit, theInternet phones 103 internal diagnostic routines have determined thatthe Internet phone 103 is in good condition and operable.

The Internet phone 103 is provided with a power on-off switch, anInternet call/auto-answer switch, a call toggle switch, a serial port209, and a general interface port. The Internet call/auto-answer switchprovides two functions: as a caller device, the switch indicates thein-coming phone call is through the Internet 104, and as a receiver, theswitch indicates that the Internet phone 103 will be automaticallyconnected to the Internet 104 if an Internet routed phone call isdetected. The call toggle switch supports call waiting services andallows the user to toggle audio conversations with two parties. Thegeneral interface port is an {fraction (8/16)} slot bus interface whichallows for future enhancement. The power switch activates the powersupply unit 213, preferably a 12 Volt DC, 1 Amp unit.

The above discussed hardware and software configuration of the Internetphone 103 also includes a link control protocol routine (i.e., program)that provides for four modes of operation as follows:

Power Internet Call/ Analog Internet Mode On Auto-Answer Call Call 1 OffDon't Care Yes No 2 On Off Yes Yes {Both parties need to be manuallyconnected to Internet} 3 On On Yes Yes {Both parties will beautomatically connected to Internet} 4 On On Yes Yes {Both parties willbe automatically connected to Internet}

In mode 1 the Internet phone 103 is in a sleeping mode in that it isby-passed from the Internet 104 and directly connected to the PSTN. Inmode 1, all incoming or outgoing analog calls are directly connected tothe PSTN.

In mode 2, both Internet phones 103 need to be manually connected to theInternet 104. The manual Internet phone call set up and tear downprocedure is detailed by the flow chart 300 shown in FIG. 3. In mode 2,two phone calls are required to setup the connection over the Internet104. Initially, the calling party manually calls the recipient party byan International Direct Dial (IDD) call service or long distance callservice to verbally indicate that an Internet phone call is required301. Upon agreement by the caller and recipient of an intended phonecall over an Internet connection, the IDD or long distance call isdisconnected 302. Both caller and recipient parties each activate theInternet Call/Auto Answer button and their respective Internet phones103 automatically undertake to make an Internet connection, i.e. make aconnection with their respective Internet Service Providers 303. Onceconnected to their ISPs, the caller and recipient Internet phones 103each automatically connect to a Directory Service such as a LightweightDirectory Access Protocol (LDAP) 304. The LDAP is an open standardprotocol for directory services on the Internet 104. The LDAP provides astandard way for Internet clients or applications and servers to accessdirectory services and locate organizations, organizational units orindividuals. Once connected to the Directory Service such as the LDAP,each of the caller and recipient Internet phones 103 automaticallysubmit their IP address and telephone number, and the caller Internetphone 103 also submits the recipient Internet phone's telephone number.These connection procedures are indicated by the LCD display 305. Oncethe LCD connection is indicated as done 307, there will be a ring backtone to the Internet phones 103 of the caller and recipient parties 308to indicate that the Internet connection for the intended phone call isestablished 309. If the LCD connection is not completed in apre-programmed time interval 306, i.e., no ring back tone is received308 by both the caller and recipient Internet phones 103 in W seconds,the caller and recipient Internet phones 103 disconnect from theirrespective ISP 310. Once established, the phone call over the Internetconnection can be readily disconnected by de-activating the InternetCall/Auto-Answer button.

In mode 3, both Internet phones 103 are automatically connected over anInternet 104. The automatic Internet phone call setup and tear downprocedure is detailed by flow chart 400 of FIG. 4. Initially, thecalling party manually dials the IDD or long distance phone number 401of the recipient party's Internet phone 103. With a reception of themanually dialed IDD or long distance telephone number, the caller'sInternet phone 103 searches its phone book directory for a match withthe manually dialed telephone number 402. When no match is made with thephone book directory listings, the caller's Internet phone 103 initiatesan automatic dialing routine to notify the recipient party of anintended phone call over an Internet connection. The dialing routine fora non-match with the phone book directory listing is a differentialautomatic dial sequence as follows: First the caller's Internet phone103 automatically calls the manually dialed IDD or long distancetelephone number of the recipient party and provides a unique ringingsequence, while the recipient's Internet phone 103 correspondinglyundertakes detection of the unique ringing sequence, then the call isdisconnected. The calling party's Internet phone 103 needs to monitorthe recipient's Internet phone 103 status through the tone detector as adynamic way to determine the ringing duration, as an alternative to afixed pre-defined ringing interval value. The prior steps of calling anddetecting the unique ringing sequence and then disconnecting the callare repeated an N number of times 416, 417.

Tables 1 and 2 below show a few possible configurations of adifferential automatic dialing and detection sequence as the uniqueringing sequence.

TABLE 1 Caller Party Automatic Dialing and Detection Sequence CallerParty Detect 1st Ringing Interval 2 3 4 5 Disconnect Call Interval{Second} 1-10 1-10 1-10 1-10 Detect 2nd Call Ringing Interval 2 3 4 5Disconnect Call Interval {Second} 1-10 1-10 1-10 1-10 XXXXXXDifferential Ringing 0 0 0 0

TABLE 2 Receipient Party Detections Sequence Recipient Party Detect 1stCall 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 Ringing Interval Disconnect Call Interval{Second} Detect 2nd Call 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 4 5 4 5 6 Ringing IntervalDisconnect Call Interval {Second} xxxxxxx Differential 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 11 0 1 Ringing

After the caller's Internet phone 103 has executed the automatic dialingroutine, (i.e., differential automatic dialing sequence) and therecipient's Internet phone 103 has detected the automatic dialingroutine, the Internet phones 103 will then automatically undertake tomake an Internet connection. It should be noted that the detection ofthe differential dial sequence by the recipient side Internet phone 103needs to be done in a pre-program time interval, for example, 15 to 120seconds.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the caller party manually dialsthe recipient's telephone number 401. The caller's Internet phone 103detects the manually dialed telephone number and checks it against aninternally stored phone book directory listing 402. If there is no matchwith the phone book directory listing, the caller's Internet phone 103automatically initiates, in response to the manual dialing by thecaller, an automatic dialing routine that begins with an IDD or longdistance call 403 to the recipient's Internet phone 103 with apredetermined X ringing interval 404. The recipient's Internet phone 103correspondingly undertakes detection of a predetermined Z1 ringinginterval 409. The caller's Internet phone 103 stops the call 403 for apredetermined Y interval 405, while the recipient's Internet phone 103stops detection of the call 410. The caller's Internet phone 103 thenrepeats making the IDD or long distance call an N number of times 406with a predetermined X ringing interval 407 during each N number call,while the recipient's Internet phone 103 undertakes detection of apredetermined Zn ringing interval 412 during each N number call. Thenthe caller's Internet phone 103 stops placing the long distance call 408and the recipient's Internet phone 103 stops detection of the call 413.The recipient's Internet phone then 103 detects that a phone call overan Internet connection is desired 414 by the caller. The caller andrecipient Internet phones 103 automatically call and undertake to makean Internet connection, i.e., become connected to their respective ISPs415. Once connected to their respective ISPs, the caller and recipientInternet phones 103 automatically connect to the Directory Service suchas the LDAP, the caller and recipient Internet phones 103 each submittheir respective IP address and telephone number, and the calleradditionally submits the recipient's telephone number 305. When the LCDdisplays an Internet connection 307, there will be a ring back tone toboth parties 308 to indicate that the Internet call is established 309.If the LCD displayed connection is not done in a pre-programmed timeinterval 306, i.e., no ring back tone is received 308 by both the callerand recipient Internet phones 103 in W seconds, each of the caller andrecipient Internet phones 103 disconnect from their respective ISP 310.Once established, the phone call over the Internet connection can bereadily disconnected by de-activating the Internet Call/Auto-Answerbutton.

In mode 4, both parties are automatically connected to the Internet 104.The automatic Internet phone call setup and tear down procedure isdetailed by flow chart 500 of FIG. 5. Initially, the calling partymanually dials the IDD or long distance telephone number 501. Withreception of the IDD or long distance telephone number, the phone 103undertakes a match of the IDD or long distance number with a phone bookdirectory 502.

With a match to a listing in the phone book directory, the caller'sInternet phone 103 initiates an automatic dialing routine that includesone IDD or long distance call 503 to the recipient's Internet phone 103with a W second ringing interval 504, e.g., 1-60 seconds, and then thecaller's Internet phone 103 stops the call 505. Correspondingly, therecipient's Internet phone 103, has the caller's telephone number in itsphone book directory and, undertakes a detection of the dialing routine506 and then stops the detection 507. Then the calling and recipientInternet phones 103 automatically undertake to make an Internetconnection, i.e., call and be connected to their respective ISPs 508,and then connect to the Directory Service such as the LDAP. Onceconnected to the LDAP, each of the caller and recipient Internet phones103 submit their respective IP address and telephone number. The callerInternet phone also submits the recipient's telephone number. When theLCD displays an Internet connection 307, there will be a ring back toneto both parties 308 to indicate that the Internet call is established309. If the LCD displayed connection is not done in a pre-programmedtime interval 306, i.e., no ring back tone is received 308 by both thecaller and recipient Internet phones 103 in W seconds, each of thecaller and recipient Internet phones 103 disconnect from theirrespective ISP 310. Once established, the phone call over the Internetconnection can be readily disconnected by de-activating the InternetCall/Auto-Answer button.

It can be appreciated that the above hardware and software configurationcan be practiced to provide tele-conference capabilities betweenmultiple phone parties. The tele-conference can be with all partiesinterconnected through an Internet connection and an Internet phone andthe above software and hardware configurations modified to provide forfull duplex communications between all the parties. Alternatively, twoparties can be connected over the Internet as described above, andmultiple parties can be brought into the phone call connection throughconnections over the PSTN into the phones 101. In this case the relaywould be in an additional mode whereby the phone 101 is in both a PSTNmode and an Internet mode.

The above two techniques of automatic dialing to establish a phone callover the Internet 104, by the Internet phone set-top box 103, or a PCconfigured with the capabilities of the Internet phone 103, can beaffected by the timing required to establish the connection. In otherwords, the connection time could be just a few seconds for a localrecipient connected indirectly to a local network interconnectionbetween the calling and recipient parties, while the connection timecould be tens of seconds for an overseas recipient connected indirectlythrough an international network interconnection between the calling andrecipient parties. Consequently, the ringing interval parameters in theautomatic dialing and detection must be fine tuned to compensate fortiming delays due to interconnection variations on the network.

The timing delays in the differential dialing sequence betweenpeer-to-peer communication, i.e. calling party-to-recipient party viatheir respective Internet phones 103, can be avoided if the differentialdialing sequence is moved from the Internet phone 103 to a so calledknocking server on the Internet. With such a knocking server a shorterduration in the ringing interval is possible, which permitsestablishment of a more reliable call connection. In addition, theknocking server, by initiating the differential dialing sequence with arecipient party's Internet phone 103, can enable a PC station withInternet connection capabilities to prompt the knocking server toexecute an automatic dialing sequence from the Internet, in order toestablish a phone call over the Internet with a recipient party'sInternet phone 103 or computer station.

Referring now to FIG. 6 there is shown a block diagram 600 of anInternet telephony network configuration employing a knocking server 608for executing automatic dialing to a recipient over the Internet. Afirst Internet service provider (ISP) 601 is connected to a firstgateway 603 tied to a private automatic branch exchange (PABX) 604serving multiple telephones 613, a second gateway 605 servicing end useequipment 607 such as telephones and a facsimile, a stand-alone Internetphone 103 connected to a telephone (or a stand-alone telephone connectedto equipment configured with capabilities of the Internet phone 103 suchas differential dialing detection and Internet communicationcapabilities), and a personal computer station 611. Connected to asecond Internet service provider (ISP) 602 are a local area network(LAN) 606 of computer stations, and a single personal computer station612. The Internet service providers 601 and 602 are connected to eachother, and to a knocking server 608, a directory server 609, and aconference server 610.

The diagram 600 of FIG. 6 is intended only as an example of the possibleend user equipment interconnections to the Internet with ISPs 601 and602, knocking server 608, directory server 609 and conference 616server, that will support phone, facsimile, voice mail, video mail, andother services. Consequently, at a minimum, the knocking server 609 needonly be utilized in conjunction with the Internet phone 103 of arecipient party or other end user equipment connected to the Internet,such as the single computer station 611, that is capable of detectingthe differential dialing presented by the knocking server 608.

Gateways, such as 603 and 605, are devices used to connect dissimilarnetworks using different communication protocols, so that informationcan be passed from one network to the other. The gateway both transfersinformation and converts it to a form compatible with the protocols usedby the second network for transport and delivery. The second gateway 605of FIG. 5 transfers and converts the signals from the end user equipment607 into an Internet, compatible format. The first gateway 603 of FIG. 6transfers and converts signals from the PABX 604 into an Internetcompatible format. The PABX 604 is a private telecommunications exchangethat includes access to a public telecommunications exchange, e.g.telephone switching system.

The conference server 610, shown interconnected between the ISPs 601 and602, is configured to simultaneously transmit and receive multiple voicebased data packets on the Internet, in order to support multi-partyphone calls over the Internet.

The directory server 609, shown interconnected between the ISPs 601 and602, is configured for directory services such as the lightweightDirectory Access Protocol (LDAP) detailed above.

The personal computers (PC) PC 611, connected to the first ISP 601, andPC 612, connected to the second ISP 602, each can have modem functioncapabilities or a leased line access for linking with the respectiveISP's 601 and 602. The LAN 606 of personal computers can be connected toits ISP 602 by a dedicated leased line. A wide area network (WAN) ofpersonal computers can be interconnected to the Internet and employ theknocking server 608 to initiate a automatic dialing sequence. Personalcomputers, can be used as a source or destination of video, graphics,audio and user data.

The knocking server 608 is configured to provide automatic differentialdialing for a caller party, not having an Internet phone 103, topreferably a recipient party with the Internet phone 103 detailed above.The knocking server 608 can also be employed to establish a phone callconnection over the Internet with a recipient's personal computerconfigured to detect the automatic differential dialing sequence by theknocking server 608.

Referring now to the flow chart 700 of FIG. 7, the steps for an Internetphone call setup with the knocking server 608 are detailed. Initially,the calling party dials out to make a connection with its ISP 701. Onceconnected to the ISP 701, the calling party submits its IP address, itstelephone number, and the recipient's telephone number to both thedirectory server and a designated knocking server 702. The designatedknocking server will then initiate an automatic dialing sequence 703through a local or long distance telephone call to the recipient party.The proposed automatic dialing sequence, i.e., differential dialingsequence, consists of the knocking server repeating, an N number oftimes, an X number of ringing intervals followed by no rings for a Ytime interval. Correspondingly, the recipient party's Internet phone 103(or similarly configured PC or end equipment setup) answers the localcall, and undertakes detection of the incoming dialing over a Z numberof ringing intervals, repeated for an N number of times, followed by astop in the detection of the call, and then the call is disconnected704. The detection of the differential dial sequence by the recipientparty needs to be done in a pre-programmed time interval, for example 3to 30 seconds. Possible configurations of the differential automaticdialing and detection sequence are shown below in Tables 1 and 2:

TABLE 1 Knocking server automatic call dialing and detection sequenceKnocking Server Detect 1st call ringing interval 2 3 4 5 Disconnect callinterval [second] 1-10 1-10 1-10 1-10 Detect 2nd call ringing interval 23 4 5 Disconnect call interval [second] 1-10 1-10 1-10 1-10 .......Differential ringing 0 0 0 0

TABLE 2 Recipient party detection sequence Recipient Party Detect 1stcall 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 ringing interval Disconnect call — — — — — — —— — — interval [second] Detect 2nd call 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 4 5 4 ringinginterval Disconnect call — — — — — — — — — — interval [second] .......Differential ringing 1 0 −1 1 0 −1 1 0 −1 1

After the automatic dialing or detection of the initiation, therecipient party's Internet phone 103 will then automatically call and beconnected to its ISP 705. Then the recipient submits its IP address andits telephone number to the directory server such as the LDAP 706. Oncean LCD connection is done, i.e. a matching of the IP address by theDirectory server 708 within a pre-programmed time interval 707, a ringback tone is provided to both parties 709 and the Internet call isestablished 710.

If the LCD connection is not made, i.e. there is no matching of the IPaddress against a directory listing in a pre-programmed time interval,then both the calling and recipient parties are disconnected from theirrespective ISPs. The Internet call can be easily disconnected byde-activating the Internet Call/AutoAnswer button.

Alternatively, the knocking server 608 can be configured so that ifduring the local phone call to the recipient, before initiating thedifferential dialing sequence, a busy tone is detected indicating thatthe recipient may already be on an Internet connection, the knockingserver can search the directory server for the telephone number and IPaddress of the recipient and attempt an Internet phone call connectionover the Internet.

The knocking server 608, as detailed by the discussion of the flow chart700, allows for an automatic dialing and call establishment techniqueover the Internet that is an alternative to peer-to-peer automaticdialing. The designated knocking server can be a local knocking server,located nearest to the recipient party, that will reduce connection timerequired as compared to the differential dialing sequence between anInternet phone 103 to an Internet phone 103. Alternatively, thedesignated knocking server can be a remote knocking server, locatednearest to the calling party that can serve other PCS connected to anLAN or WAN that is leased-line connected to an ISP.

The source and destination telephone number matching provided by thedirectory server is a simpler and more reliable matching technique forestablishing a call connection. The telephone numbers of the calling andrecipient parties are now unique identifications on the directoryserver.

The use of the knocking server 608 permits the calling party's equipmentto be any type capable of communicating over the Internet, including agateway, stand alone Internet phone, a PC connected to an LAN or WAN, PCconnected to the Internet via a modem, and an electronic mail server forautomatic mail notification. Likewise, similar type of equipment can beused by the recipient party if it is configured for the detection of thedifferential dialing sequence over the local telephone call.

The knocking server 608 can be configured with a look-up tablecontaining various parameters such as the X ringing interval, Yinterval, and the N number of repetitions. The look-up table can enablefine tuning of the differential dialing to adapt to different calldialing delays caused by the interconnection of different PSTN switches.The look-up table can have values for the X, Y and N parameters based ontelephone calls between various cities or area codes. In this way, asimpler matching technique is provided, which establishes an automaticcall connection by matching source and destination locations on theInternet and allows for fine tuning the connection timing.

The disclosures of the following U.S. patents are incorporated herein byreference to the extent necessary or desirable to explain the invention:Barris U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,797 granted Jul. 18, 1995; Hollenback, et al.U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,155 granted Jul. 2, 1996; and Fox, et al. U.S. Pat.No. 5,636,216 granted Jun. 3, 1997.

Variations, combinations and permutations of the above as would occur tothose of ordinary skill in the art are included in the scope and spiritof the invention. For example, the above described Internet phone 103can be utilized with a facsimile input device, in lieu of or incombination with the external phone 101 or microphone-speaker 102 set,in conjunction with the automatic dialing and call setups based on thedifferential ringing sequence of mode 3, or the single ringing intervalof mode 4. With regard to the differential ringing sequences described,an interval of the predetermined ringing can be substituted by aduration to a tone detection of a ringing tone by the recipient party'scommunication equipment. The caller party's communication equipmentwould be usable to detect the ringing tone of the recipient party'scommunication equipment through a tone detection by a modem of thecaller party's communication equipment as a dynamic way to determine aninterval of the predetermined ringing. Also, the above describedprograms, automatic dialing routines and hardware functions can beconfigured into a personal computer system that executes the automaticdialing routine to automatically setup a phone call over an Internetconnection.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for establishing a phone call over an Internet connection, said method comprising the steps of: making an Internet connection by caller party communication equipment intending to establish a phone call connection over said Internet connection with recipient party communication equipment; providing by said caller party communication equipment said caller party communication equipment's Internet Protocol address and telephone number and said recipient party communication equipment's telephone number to a directory server and knocking server on said Internet connection; initiating, at said knocking server, a dialing routine to said recipient party communication equipment to notify said recipient party communication equipment of an intended phone call connection over said Internet connection; making an Internet connection by said recipient party communication equipment in response to said recipient party communication equipment detecting said dialing routine by said knocking server; providing automatically to said directory server, by said recipient party communication equipment, said recipient party communication equipment's Internet protocol address and telephone number; and completing automatically said Internet connection between said caller and recipient party communication equipment for said intended phone call.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said dialing routine comprises a differential ringing sequence detectable by said recipient party communication equipment.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said differential ringing sequence comprises providing a predetermined ringing and then disconnecting said telephone connection to said recipient party communication equipment for a predetermined stop interval, and then repeating automatically for a given number of times another telephone connection to said recipient party communication equipment followed by said predetermined ringing and then disconnecting said another telephone connection.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein an interval of said predetermined ringing can be substituted by a duration to a tone detection of a ringing tone of said recipient party communication equipment, said knocking server being usable to detect said ringing tone of said recipient party communication equipment through a tone detection of a modem of said knocking server as a dynamic way to determine said interval of said predetermined ringing.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said directory service is a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP).
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said knocking server is located nearer said recipient party communication equipment than said caller party communication equipment on said Internet connection between said caller and recipient party communication equipment.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said knocking server is located nearer said caller party communication equipment than said recipient party communication equipment on said Internet connection between said caller and recipient party communication equipment.
 8. The method according to claim 3, wherein said differential ringing sequence is based on at least one of geographic locations of each of said knocking server and recipient party communication equipment and condition of transmission paths in said Internet connection.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said differential ringing sequence comprises parameters based on an interval of said predetermined ringing, said predetermined stop interval, and number of times said predetermined ringing and said predetermined stop interval are repeated, said parameters for said predetermined ringing, said predetermined stop interval and said number of times being composed as a look-up table at said knocking server, said parameters being based on said geographic locations and said transmission path.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said caller party communication equipment comprises at least one of a gateway servicing telephone equipment, a local area network of personal computers, a stand alone personal computer, and an Internet phone.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said recipient party communication equipment comprises at least one of a gateway servicing telephone equipment, a local area network of personal computers, a stand alone personal computer, and an Internet phone.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said knocking server is configured for attempting an Internet connection with said recipient party communication equipment if a busy tone is received when said knocking server executes said notifying. 